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James L. Smith Jr., who has no permanent address, faces charges for simple assault and harassment filed against him by state police at Hazleton.

He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge William Kissner, who set bail at $10,000 straight June 6 and awaits a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Joseph Homanko scheduled for June 26 at 9:45 a.m.

Arrest papers state Smith engaged in an argument with the teen on June 1 at about 8 p.m., choked the girl and then forcefully grabbed her.

Hazleton police probe burglaries

Hazleton police are investigating two burglaries that happened Sunday and Monday morning.

Police said a man in the 500 block of Peace Street told officers he found an unknown woman inside his home at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday. The woman was described as white with dirty blond hair and about 25 years old. She was said to be about 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighing about 200 pounds. She left the home prior to police being called there, according to a press release.

The second burglary case was reported after a woman awoke to find an unknown man in her home in the 300 block of West Chapel Street Monday at about 1:20 a.m. The woman couldn't provide a description of the man.

If anyone has information on either incident they are asked to contact police at 911.

Police wrote Nichols had been told by loss prevention workers at another Walmart store in Luzerne County, he was not allowed in any of the chain's stores and is being investigated for incidents at other Walmart stores in the area.

He was arraigned Friday by Magisterial District Judge Joseph Carmody who set bail at $5,000 unsecured.

Police seek info in Packer Twp.shed break-in

Someone broke into the Packer Township municipal building shed, stealing tools and other materials.

State police at Hazleton said the incident happened between 4 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. Saturday after someone forced their way into the shed by breaking in through an old front door.

Once inside, troopers said, several rolls of different gauge copper wiring, a 50-foot extension cord, two 25-foot extension cords and a Milwaukee heavy duty 4½-inch right angle grinder were taken. Also taken were a regulator and stainless steel fuel line from a propane generator on the outside of the building. Those involved also cut the electrical cords off a Dremel tool, pressure washer and hair dryer.

Damages and loses were estimated to be about $900.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-459-3890.

Police seek info in car damage

State police at Hazleton said someone damaged the window molding on a vehicle owned by Robert T. Motto, 42, Pottsville, while it was parked on Interstate 80 in the area of mile marker 268.7, Foster Township on Sunday at about 12:30 a.m.

The damage incurred was estimated to be $350. Anyone with information is asked to call troopers at 570-459-3890.

Hazleton woman cited for noise

Elsy Estevez, 28, Hazleton, was cited for a violation of the city noise ordinance Sunday at about 9:49 p.m. by Hazleton police after an incident at her North Vine Street home.

Police seek info on car damage

Hazleton police said sometime overnight Saturday into Sunday, someone damaged a 1999 Ford Taurus parked in the area of 15th and Grant streets. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 911.

Police investigate hubcap thefts

Sometime between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday someone took four hubcaps from a Mazda 3 while it was parked in the area of Seventh and Grant streets. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 911.

Wallet found

A wallet was found on Sherman Court near West Beech Street in Hazleton and turned into city police Saturday morning. The owner is asked to contact police at 911.

One injured in motorcycle wreck

A Nesquehoning resident sustained injury after crashing a motorcycle Saturday in Mahanoy Township.

State police at Frackville said Enn Poeldnurk, 24, was traveling south on state Route 339 and drove off the road as he was rounding a left curve and lost control of the vehicle. The motorcycle went off the road, troopers said, traveled about 75 feet and brushed up against a telephone pole at about 11:30 p.m. and then continued southwest for about 25 feet before stopping in a grass/brush area.

Craig O. Mason, 29, Hazleton, was charged by West Hazleton police with simple assault and harassment after an argument in a West Green Street apartment turned physical Friday at about midnight, court papers state. The victim, court papers state, was found bleeding from her forehead and appeared to have a swollen bruise and lacerations on her forehead. She told police during the argument, Mason smashed his forehead against hers, causing the injuries, police wrote.

He was arraigned Friday by Magisterial District Judge James Dixon, who set bail at $10,000. Unable to immediately post that amount, he was taken to jail.

Hazleton man cited for underage drinking

Cory Kawalig, no age provided, Hazleton, was cited for underage drinking and disorderly conduct by Hazleton police after an incident in the area of 400 E. Broad St. on Sunday at about 9:30 p.m. Kawalig sustained a laceration to his right hand and was taken to Hazleton General Hospital by ambulance for treatment and evaluation. The incident is under investigation, police said.

Charges, citations

Charges or citations were filed against the following for the offenses listed, according to court dockets. Charges on older offenses appear now because they were recently filed.

n John Lucas, 44, Ashland, two counts DUI and two summary violations by McAdoo police after an April 14 offense.

n Patrick B. McCarthy, 30, McAdoo, possession of a controlled substance and use or possession of drug paraphernalia by Kline Township police after a May 9 offense.

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